Chapter 353: A City on Alert

　Tauro and his group silently watched the travelers being led away by the guards, and after that they passed through several checkpoints before arriving at the next town.

　Despite the fact that it was only a few hours’ carriage ride, Tauro felt exhausted.

　Everyone else seemed to be in the same mood and let out a sigh as they got off the passenger carriage.

“If it weren’t for the mission, I would have gone on a rampage. ……”

　The red-haired Malak grumbled.

　Tauro felt a sense of kinship with the dragon people, whom he considered to be as patient and monstrous as he was, but who were also stressed by the territory’s unreasonable system.

“Malak has a strong sense of justice, you know.”

　Zumei, a blonde-haired pretty-boy type, teased the older Malak.

“Stop it, Zumei. ──Besides, that’s where the man we’re chasing is heading.”

　The blue-haired Reeva had used her skills to mark Tauro’s former father, so she seemed to know exactly where that direction was.

“…If the direction is as the coachman said earlier, it’s in the direction of the capital. After all, the general headquarters of the assassin guild may be in the capital.”

　Tauro looked disgusted at his own thought while saying so.

“What’s the matter, leader? Is it bad that it’s in the capital?”

“if it is the territorial capital, there is a greater chance that there is a connection with the lords of the land, isn’t there? That means that there’s a high possibility that not only the assassin guild, but also the lord of this land will become our enemy. If that is the case, the subjugation of the assassin guild might turn into a serious war. Think about it. ……”

“Then we can just crush the assassination guilds and use my and Tauro’s abilities to make a quick exit!”

　Ragune pointed out a valid point.

“Yes, but ……. In that case, the other travelers, who don’t know us, could be captured and interrogated in place of us, who disappeared like smoke.”

“…Sure. They’ll definitely be looking for the culprit, so the possibility of that happening is high.”

　Ankh also understood and agreed with Tauro’s opinion.

“Then again, if there is any connection, we will have no choice but to annihilate the entire lord.”

　Ragune answered simply.

“That’s easy for you to say.”

　Tauro laughs bitterly,

“I’m afraid you dragon people could actually do it.”

　That’s what I thought.

　Tauro and his party decided to stay in town for the night, even though it was a little early, and decided to inquire about this territory.

　However, if the information they had heard from the coachman in the border town was correct, there must be a snitching system in place, so it would be risky to ask around.

　Tauro and his friends decided to split up and inquire in a cautious manner, hoping that they would be able to ask other questions as an extension of their information-gathering activities as adventurers.

“It is unusual to meet adventurers from other places. The majority of adventurers in Viscount Bowmen’s territory are locals. It’s more convenient for locals, partly because of the reasons for moving around the checkpoints. So it would be wise for a stranger to settle down here and become a resident adventurer.”

　Such was the reply Ankh received when he spoke to the old man sitting next to him in the bar by the adventurers’ guild in this town.

“Oh, I see! Well then, I’ll have to think about it when I get to the area around the capital, which seems to be more profitable, ha ha ha!”

　Ankh replied in a deliberately loud voice.

　If there is a whistleblower system, you never know who is listening and reporting.

　If we’re going to be snitched on, it would be more convenient to be out in the open and give an excuse to go to the territorial capital.

　These were the things Tauro had told Ankh in advance, and Ankh had successfully accomplished them.

“I think the capital is certainly prosperous. It was a long time ago when I was there, but I was surprised to find it much more prosperous than this city. Well, I don’t know how it is now, but it can’t be much worse.”

　The old man, in a good mood after a few drinks, said that and downed his mug of alcohol.

“Thanks for the tip.”

　Ankh says, and then finishes off his own drink, gives the old man money for another round of drinks,  and leaves the bar.

“You’re a good guy! Come back here again if you have anything you want to ask. I’ll tell you anything you want to know, okay? Ha ha ha!”

　With the old man’s cheerful voice in the background, Ankh returned to the inn to meet up with everyone else.

　By the time everyone had returned to the inn, the sun had already set and everyone had already eaten their meals.

“You can hear all kinds of stories about adventurers in this town, but not many seem to know anything about the capital.”

　The red-haired Malak reports to Tauro.

“I also asked around at the Adventurers’ Guild, but even though there were people who knew a lot about this town, not many people have been to the capital because of the travel restrictions.”

　Added Tauro and Ragune.

“I happened to meet a merchant, and when I asked him about the capital, but he didn’t say much. Apparently, it’s not very popular to talk about other places.”*

　Said the blue-haired Reeva and the blonde-haired Zumei.

“The stories I’ve heard aren’t that different either. The only thing I’ve heard is that the old territorial capital used to be prosperous, but they don’t know about it now.”

　Said Ankh.

“…… it looks like we’re in for a treat for when we get to the territorial capital.”

　Since there wasn’t much good information, Tauro comprehensively decided to give up on obtaining information in this city.

　Knock-knock.

　Then came a knock at the door of the room.

“Yes?”

　Tauro replies from the other side of the door.

“I’m from the city guard. We got a report from civilians in the city, and I’d like speak with you.  So please open this door.”

　What? You’ve been tipped off already?

　Tauro and his friends looked at each other, and thinking that having Ragune and Reeva gathering in the man’s four-person room would cause unnecessary scrutiny, Ragune and Tauro used their abilities to have everyone except themselves temporarily moved to the village of the dragon people.

“Yes. I’ll open it. Please wait a moment.”

　Tauro answered in a childish voice and opened the door.

　Then the guards streamed in.

“Yeah? The information says there should be six of you. ……. What happened to the others?”

“Huh? Our friends, they went out for drinks and haven’t come back yet?”

　Tauro looked at Ragune and answered.

“…Well, that’s fine. We’ll have a little chat with you two.”

　The guard corners Tauro and Ragune and started questioning them about their activities, but Nothing problematic is said as Tauro answers the question in a matter-of-fact way and adjusts the conversation to take Ragune along.

　Do the guards usually do this. We Exchange glances.*

“Then, when the rest of your friends return, we may come back to speak with you all, but please lay low in town.”

　They left with what sounded like a warning.

“…Phew. I guess we’ll have to be even more careful with this one. ……”

　Tauro let slip to Ragune, then he used his abilities to call everyone back from the village of the dragon people.

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